周杰伦 - 青花瓷 (Jay Chou - Blue and White Porcelain)
Plain sketches outline blue and white, the brushstrokes go from thick to light
Faint sandalwood fragrance through the window, I understand your thoughts
Glaze colors depict a painting of a lady, the charm is privately hidden
Rising cooking smoke, separated by a thousand miles across the river
At the bottom of the bottle, writing in Han Li imitating the elegance of ancient times
Like an ancient blue and white porcelain, self-consciously beautiful, your eyes carry a smile
A white-colored, blue-patterned koi vividly leaps at the bottom of the bowl
Outside the curtain, banana trees provoke sudden rain, the door ring attracts bronze green
In the ink-splashed landscape painting, you are concealed in the deep ink color
Rising cooking smoke, separated by a thousand miles across the river
At the bottom of the bottle, writing in Han Li imitating the elegance of ancient times
Like an ancient blue and white porcelain, self-consciously beautiful, your eyes carry a smile
Rising cooking smoke, separated by a thousand miles across the river
At the bottom of the bottle, writing in Han Li imitating the elegance of ancient times
Like an ancient blue and white porcelain, self-consciously beautiful, your eyes carry a smile
Song Interpretation
Short Summary
"Blue and White Porcelain" by Jay Chou is a beautiful blend of traditional Chinese aesthetics and romantic longing, where the lyrics paint a picture of delicate porcelain art and the poignant emotions of love. The song's imagery evokes timeless beauty, with the protagonist waiting for someone they cannot reach, much like the inescapable allure of blue and white porcelain.
Detailed Insights
The lyrics begin with the imagery of blue and white porcelain being carefully outlined, symbolizing the delicate nature of love and memory. The brushstrokes, going from thick to light, represent the subtle shifts in emotions as love evolves. The description of a peony on the bottle mirrors the image of someone’s beauty at first glance, akin to the moment one prepares themselves, full of anticipation.
As the song progresses, it speaks of distant yearning, the protagonist’s understanding of the other's thoughts through subtle hints, like the fragrance of sandalwood or the unspoken expression of a smile. The phrase "Sky blue awaits the rain, while I'm waiting for you" captures the essence of longing for something beyond reach, reflected in the motif of the blue sky waiting for the rain. The metaphor of ancient porcelain and the writing at the bottom of the bottle further emphasizes the timeless nature of the emotions being expressed.
In the later verses, the song delves into the profound beauty of unspoken emotions and distant encounters. The protagonist, through intricate artistic references, expresses a love that transcends physical separation, reaching into the metaphor of a secret, buried within the kiln for a thousand years. The imagery of koi fish and the gentle touch of an embroidery needle symbolize the fragility and depth of the feelings involved.
Ultimately, "Blue and White Porcelain" is about the intersection of art, history, and love—how beauty can be both fleeting and eternal, much like the porcelain itself, enduring through time and space while holding hidden meanings.